Description:
In this interactive activity produced for Teachers' Domain, learn how the Global Positioning System (GPS) uses trilateration to identify the location of a receiver. Investigate how each GPS satellite broadcasts a radio signal that carries information (the time the signal was transmitted, the position of the satellite, and a pseudo-random-noise code) and how the signals from three different satellites are used to determine the receiver's location. Graphics and animation illustrate how the time it takes to receive a satellite's signal can be used to determine the distance from the satellite. In addition, explore how the signal from a fourth satellite is used to achieve greater precision. The lesson is accompanied by a background essay, standards alignment, and discussion questions. Users who sign up for a free account can save the resource and download the video as well.